New parking fees could cancel Sandwich events, costing the town £200,000 in lost revenue. Organizers struggle with rising costs.
Dover District Council (DDC) started new parking fees last year. These fees apply across the district, including The Quay. Motorists there pay £1.80 each hour. The council previously let event organizers use the land for free; it includes 37 parking spaces.
Simon Mallett organizes Sandwich Salutes the 40s. It is a three-day event held each May, and about 5,000 people attend this festival. Mallett is asking the council to drop the new fees.
Mallett says Sandwich could lose over £200,000; businesses earn that from these festivals. These events rely heavily on volunteers, and the new fees add thousands of pounds in costs. He wonders if events will continue after 2026.
Councillor Dan Friend also criticizes this decision. He said parking fees add hundreds to event costs, and the Christmas lights funfair may become too expensive. The council could earn thousands this way.
Sandwich Salutes displays old military vehicles. They even show WWII fighter planes. The event happens from May 3 to 5, before the VE Day anniversary on May 8.
They now pay the council about £180 for rent. The 37 parking spots were free to use. The new fees would raise that to £1,074.80; that’s half of their previous budget.
Mallett says these fees are “devastating news,” and he feels they will hurt his free event. He says the event fills all town parking, increasing parking income, not reducing it.
Mallett says his event brings £75,000 to businesses. Le Weekend, a French festival, brings a similar amount. The Folk and Ale festival would also face £1,000 in extra costs.
Friend says Sandwich lacks a big central space for events. Sandwich is known for community events that bring visitors and support local businesses. They showcase our great town.
He feels that one-size-fits-all policies do not work because events flow through Sandwich, not just one space. He says the new fees could hurt Sandwich, as the town’s economy depends on these events.
The council could reduce rates for groups soon. Non-profits might pay a £75 fee, while commercial organizers would pay £155 instead. The council wants to support local events.
The council will help minimize fees. They will optimize the use of the event spaces. This should help reduce the amount of parking spots being used.
A council spokesperson said they value local organizers. They are talking with one community group, seeking a cost-effective solution. They are considering charity rates for events.